Category Archives: Culture

Fumiko Nashiro’s Story of the Battle of Okinawa

Posted on June 14, 2015 by loochoo77

The following excerpts are from Tomomi Tomita’s “Ex-nurse Recalls Battle of Okinawa, Aims to Share Misery of War,” Japan Times,1 Kyodo, 21 April 2015: Fumiko Nashiro, 87, vividly remembers the leader of the nurse corps she belonged to during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, Culture, History, International, World War II | Leave a comment

An Architectural Designer’s View of Okinawa and Okinawans

Posted on June 13, 2015 by loochoo77

The following excerpts are from Rachel Preston Prinz‘s “Okinawa: One Island and the Three Cultures that Call Her Home,” Archinia, 2015.1 This article was brought to our attention by Bobby Shimabukuro of Portland, Oregon. Prinz is an architectural designer, and … Continue reading →

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A Student from Hawaii Defends ‘Shimakutuba’

Posted on June 13, 2015 by loochoo77

This video features Collin Michael Hoo, who represented the University of the Ryukyus in the 32nd Japanese Speech Contest by Foreigners. The title of his speech is “Ninufwabushi (The North Star),” and his message is about the importance of maintaining … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Higher Education, International, Japan, Language, Shimakutuba | Leave a comment

Kendo Bushi 「県道節」

Posted on June 5, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 6/6/15 “Kendo Bushi”1 「県道節」 is one of my favorite minyo. The first two performances below are by Uema Ayano (上間綾乃). They’re both arranged very differently. I like the first, the slower soulful version, better. The third, by Bokusho Kinjo, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Folk, Minyo, Music, Uema Ayano, Video | Leave a comment

Hawaii-Okinawa Sister State Relationship

Posted on June 4, 2015 by loochoo77

Note: The following report on the Hawaii-Okinawa sister state relationship is from State of Hawaii’s Sister States: A Report to the Hawaii State Legislature, January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008 by the Office of International Affairs, Strategic Marketing & … Continue reading →

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London Okinawa Day 2015 – June 20 in Spitalfields

Posted on June 4, 2015 by loochoo77

Join us at London Okinawaday 2015 Saturday 20th June 2015 10:00 – 18:00 Admission Free Spitalfields, London E1 6AA http://www.spitalfields.co.uk Nearest tube: Liverpool Street Program: Okinawan Classical & Folk Music Eisa Dancing Okinawa day stall Okinawan Arts and Craft Stalls … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Culture, Dance, Fair, International, Karate, Music | Leave a comment

Ukwanshin 2015 Events: July – November

Posted on June 4, 2015 by loochoo77

July 17 and 18 – Jikoen (Honolulu) Bon Dance: Half the year has flown by and summer is already upon us. Jikoen Bon Dance will be here soon, July 17/18! Thanks to the graciousness of Jikoen, we will once again … Continue reading →

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Koja Misako of the Nenes: A 1995 Documentary

Posted on May 31, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 6/1/15 The following video, “The Nenes Koja Misako” (ネーネーズ 古謝　美佐子), was uploaded to YouTube by Saison TV on 14 Aug. 2013. It’s a documentary on Koja and the Nenes, shot in 1995 when Koja was 41. At about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Minyo, Singer | Leave a comment

OAA Members Picnic & Bon Dance 2015 – July 12

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Bon Dance, Culture, Food, Games, International, Picnic | Leave a comment

OAA Bazaar & Fundraiser 2015 – Oct. 4

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 9/23/15

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‘Introduction to Okinawan Dance 2015’ at UHM July 5 – Aug 9

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Class, Culture, Dance | Leave a comment

Children’s Okinawan Cultural Day Camp June 2015

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

This event is sponsored in part by the State Foundation of Culture & Arts and Hawaii United Okinawa Association. Dates are subject to change. Contact HUOA for updates. Okinawan Summer Day Camp for Children Camps are scheduled for all major … Continue reading →

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Shimakutuba Class via Live Stream

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

From Eric Wada: Gusuuyo Chuuganabira! Just a reminder for our shimakutuba class this Monday [5/25/15] at 7:30 pm at Jikoen. We will be practicing more useful conversational vocabulary as well as reviewing so bring friends and family! If cannot attend … Continue reading →

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HUOA Senior Health & Fitness Fair 6/19/15, 9am-1pm

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Announcement, Culture, Fair, Health | Leave a comment

2015 Hawaii Okinawan Golf Tournament May 23-24

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Announcement, Culture, Tournament | Tagged | Leave a comment

Prefectural Rep. Itokazu to Speak on Okinawa Issues at UHM Hawaiian Studies Center 4/27/15 at 6:30pm

Posted on April 20, 2015 by loochoo77

I know most of you won’t be able to make it, but I thought I would pass this on so you know what Okinawa is presently up against, especially Nago where the US wants to build a new base. Okinawa … Continue reading →

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Medical Students Sasaki and Tamura to Share Okinawa Experiences on 5/1/15

Posted on April 19, 2015 by loochoo77

FYI Folks! Jennifer and Aileen will be sharing their wonderful experiences of their time in Okinawa — from a medical student point of view. They are the future . . . Event: Center for Okinawan Studies Monthly Lecture Series: Jennifer … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Culture, International, Lecture, Medical, Travel | Leave a comment

Uchinaaguchi Livestream on 4/13/15 at 7:30pm HST

Posted on April 13, 2015 by loochoo77

Here’s an announcement from Ukwanshin’s Norman Kaneshiro and Eric Wada: Ukwanshin Kabudan just went live If you can’t make it down to Jikoen, you can tune in to the class via your computer! Norman Kaneshiro: Hi all. Just wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Culture, Instruction, International, Language | Leave a comment

2015 Kauai Okinawan Dance Festival May 8-9

Posted on April 7, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Announcement, Bazaar, Culture, Dance, Food, Music, Travel | Leave a comment

Utayabira Wuduyabira – Okinawan Performance in Torrance, CA 5/17/15

Posted on March 16, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 4/7/15 Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 PM James R Armstrong Theatre 3300 Civic Center Drive Torrance, California 90503 Tickets: $20 Organized the OAA Geinobu (Performing Arts Committee), this biennial show features traditional and contemporary Ryukyu minyo (Okinawan folk music), … Continue reading →

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‘The Okinawan Koto Tradition in Hilo, Hawaii’ 4/10/15

Posted on March 15, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 4/7/15 Center for Okinawan Studies Monthly Lecture Series Presents: “From ‘Tachiutushi’ to ‘Old Macdonald’: The Okinawan Koto Tradition in Hilo, Hawaii” The presentation discusses Okinawan cultural continuity in the diaspora as well as the So-shin Kai Midori and efforts … Continue reading →

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Students from Okinawa Visit the Hawaii State Capitol

Posted on March 13, 2015 by loochoo77

Note: The text, photos, and captions in this article are from a post by Lopaka Baptiste in 21maile on 13 March 2015. Baptiste is on Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s staff. In June of 1985, the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture … Continue reading →

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An A’ala Street Story

Posted on February 23, 2015 by loochoo77

Gladys Sui Bun Young, my mother, was born on November 28, 1917, at home at 1071 A’ala Street bordering A’ala Park and across the river from Chinatown. Gladys was one of six girls born into the Young family. In their … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Culture, History, Images, International | 3 Comments

Marathon, Miss Okinawa, Sogo Hospital, Nakasone Endowment, AmerAsian School, Karate & China

Posted on February 13, 2015 by loochoo77

Sunday’s Okinawa Marathon is a wide open event, as more than 11,000 runners toe the Okinawa City starting line for the kick off of the 26.2-mile event…. The Okinawa Marathon begins at Awase, then carries runners through Takahara, near Koza, … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Culture, Education, History, International, Karate | Leave a comment

Takane Kochihira Concert at OAA Center 3/7/15

Posted on February 13, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Announcement, Concert, Culture, International, Music | Leave a comment

OAA Hosting Screening of Chie Mikami’s ‘The Targeted Village’ 2/28/15

Posted on February 13, 2015 by loochoo77
Posted in Announcement, Culture, Film, History, International, Politics | Leave a comment

Boxing: Fatalities in Hawaii, December 7, 1941

Posted on February 13, 2015 by loochoo77

[Note: This article, “Boxing: Fatalities in Hawaii, December 7, 1941,” by Joseph R. Svinth, was first published in Journal of Combative Sport, December 2000. It is republished here with Mr. Svinth’s kind permission. -editor] Contributors: Newspaper and archival research: Patrick … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, History, International, Sports | 1 Comment

‘Continuity & Change in Shuri-Style Kumiwudui’ 2/15/15

Posted on February 13, 2015 by loochoo77

If you’re free this Sunday, you might want to see this — IT’S FREE! Center for Okinawan Studies School of Pacific and Asian Studies University of Hawai’i at Manoa 1890 East-West Road, Moore Hall 316 Honolulu, HI 96822-2318 Webpage:  http://manoa.hawaii.edu/okinawa … Continue reading →

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Karate Pioneer Kentsu Yabu, 1866-1937

Posted on February 10, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 2/13/15 [Note: This article, “Karate Pioneer Kentsu Yabu, 1866-1937,” by Joseph R. Svinth, was first published in Journal of Combative Sport, June 2003. It is republished here with Mr. Svinth’s kind permission. -editor] By Joseph R. Svinth Acknowledgments: An … Continue reading →

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Teachers in Okinawa, Bingata, Mēgā Gama Cave, Unaigumi, International Orchid Show

Posted on February 6, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 2/7/15 You have to be smarter to be a teacher in Okinawa. In “One in 5.7 pass teacher employment examination,” Japan Update reports that the competitive rate for being a teacher in Okinawa is 11.5, the highest in Japan. … Continue reading →

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